Pressure reducing valve



June 6, 1933 G. 1.. HOLZAPFEL PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE Filed Oct. 27, 1930 Patented June 6, 1 933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE] GEORGE L. HOLZAIFEL, OF PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO RICH- FIELD OIL COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A

TION OF CALIFORNIA CORPORA- PRESSUBE REDUCING VALVE Application filed October 27, 1930. Serial No. 491,468.

This invention relates to pressure reducing valves, and an object is the general iniprovement of this type of valve.

Another important object is to provide a valve construction of this type that is espe cially serviceable when it becomes necessary to reduce the pressure of gas from a very high pressure to a very low pressure, the low pressure being, for example, atmospheric or a little above or a little below atmospheric; and, furthermore, is serviceable Where the storage or pressure supply varies greatly, for example, from say, 50 lbs. per square inch to 200 lbs. per square inch. Under the conditions noted above, the existing types of pressure reducing'valves are not satisfactory.

The reason that the present types of pressure valves are inadequate under the conditions noted above may be explained as follows:

Assuming that the area of the high pressure gas inlet is 4 inch in diameter (.05 square inches) the variation in pressure of gases between 50 lbs. per square inch and 200 lbs. per square inch, a difference of 150 lbs. per square inch, will cause a variation of 150+20, or 7 lbs. pressure on the valve seat of the gas inlet, Now, if it be assumed that the diaphragm of the pressure reducing valve is 8 inches in diameter, or approximately50' square inches in area, and that there is no compou-ndin'g of leverage between the diaphragm and valve, the variation in pressure on said diaphragm necessary to close the valve onto its seat, will be 7 +5O, or .15 lb. per square inch, which is equivalent to over four inches of Water. From this it will readily be seen that, if the pressure of supply varies. within the limits stated, constant adjustment would be necessary tomaintain the secondary pressure at the "desired value, as, for example, at a pressure equivalent to 1/10 to-1/50 of an inch of water.

When a gaseousfuel is to be mixed with air to produce a combustible mixture for driying an automobile motor, I have found that it is desirable, in order to procure the best results, that the gas carried under pressure on the automobile be reduced to substantially atmospheric pressure before mixing the apprecia le variation in pressure of the gas whose pressure is reduced is out of the question., I have discovered that, in practice,- there must be no greater variation in the secondary pressure than 1/10 inch of water,

motor at idling and slow speeds is to be achieved.

I have accomplished my purpose, in this instance, by providing a plurality of gas inlet orifices of difi'erent diameters, one so small that the suction of the motor, acting on the diaphragm, at starting will produce diaphragm, as mentioned above, has an area of approximately 50 square inches, pressure to be overcome by the diaphragm would be only slightly in excess of .004 lbs. per square inch or about 1/10 inch of water, providing there is no compounding of leverage between gas with air and, consequently, anyv if the most satisfactory operation of the the diaphragm and the valve. If the leverage ratio between the diaphragm andvalve be as 5 to 1, the pressure to be overcome would be slightly in excess of 1/50 of an inch of water. 1

When the motor, being supplied with the gas, is operating at the maximum speed obtainable with the gas supplied through the 1/32 inch orifice, the pressure will be lowered sufliciently to open a valve controlling another gas supply orifice which may be, for example, 1/16 inch in diameter and, thus, any desired number of gas orificesof different diameters may be opened successively as the suction increases.

To prevent leakage of gas past the valves that control the orificesfiach valve is held on 100 its seat by a spring of just sufiicient strength to overcome the primary pressure of the gas so as to allow the valve to open as soon as the partial vacuum produced by the motor exceeds a predetermined value.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the subjoined detailed description.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention.

Figure 1 is an end view of a pressure reducing valve" constructed in accordance with the provisions of this invention, portions of the cover and diaphragm being broken away and-portions being shown in section on a plane indicated by the line 11, Fig. 2.

Fi ure 2 is a view, mainly in section, on the line indicated by 22, Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlared sectional view of the upper portion of ig. 1, the plane of section being the same.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of section being-the same.

Figure 5 1s a sectional detail indicated by 5'5,. Fig. 1. I

There is provided a suitable case comprising a main section 8 and acover 9 which'is secured to the section 8 b screws 10 also'pass throug a diaphragm 11 which is clamped between the margins of the section 8 and cover 9. I

The case isprovided with an inlet 12 for as under pressure, said inlet communicating with the chamber 13 in the case 8. From the chamber 13 gas flows into a chamber 14 in the case through a-series of orifices of which, in the present instance, there are two 1nd1- cated, res ectivel at 15, 16. The orifices are of di erent diameters, in this instance, the orifice 15 being the smaller. The orifices 15, -16 terminate inwardly in valve seats 17, 18 against which seat valves '19, 20, respectivel The valves 19, 20 may be of rubber or 0t er suitable material or composition of materials. 21 which pass through arms 22 of levers, which are lndicated, in general, by the characters 23, 24, respectively.

The fulcrum of the levers 23, 24 is constion the line.

tuted by a pin 25 which has its middle portion supported in a lug 251 that. projects inwardly from the case section 8.

The levers 23, 24 have relatively long arms 29 is provided with a hole 30 through which 11. The ear 34 is pivoted to the link 32 -by a pin 36. On the opposite face of the diaphragm 11 from that engaged by the butig. 2, the planeof.

screws 10. The

The valves have threaded stems links 32 relative to the lever arm 29, will.

be more fully explained hereinafter.

The valves 19, 20 are normally held closed by the pressure of s rings 39, 40, respectively, which act against t e arms 29 of the respective levers 23, 24. These springs 39, 40 are of different strengths.- That is to say, that they are made of difl'erent sizes of s ring wire an /or are tensioned differently y ad'ustment plugs 26in which the ends 41 o the springs 39, 40 are anchored;

The plugs 26 have a fairly tight fit in bores 27 of the case section 8, but can be turned,

for changing the tension of the springs, by applyin a wrench to wrench seats 28 on the The diaphragm 11 separates the chamber 14' from another chamber 45 which occupies the cover 9. That side of the diaphragm 11 that faces the chamber 45 is exposed to atmospheric pressure since external air is admitted to the c amber 45 through an opening 46 provided in the cover 9. Thus, it will be seen that, f the outlet 44 be connected to the carbureter of an internal combustion motor, the

diaphragm will be exposed on both of its produce pressure in a direction toyieldin'gly hold the valves in closed positions.

faces to atmospheric pressure when the motor is not operating.

Assuming, for example, that the inlet 12 I is connected with a tank holding a gas or gases under pressure, and that the outlet 44 is connected with the carbureter of an automobile, the invention operates as follows:

The motor will be started into. operation in a manner well understood inthe art relating thereto and such operation, being at low speed, will produce a relatively low partial vacuum in the bore of the carbureter with which the inlet 44 is connected. Consequently, a reduction of pressure will also occur in the chamber 14, thus tending to cause the diaphragm 11 to flex to the right in Fig. 2.

That portion of the diaphragm that is o posed by the weaker spring 39will flex su ciently to open the valve 19, but the spring 40, being stronger than the spring 39, will hold the lever 24immovable and said lever 24, in turn, will prevent flexing of that portion of the diaphragm to which the lever 24 is connected. Consequently, at least a nearly central portion of the diaphragm will be tilted at an angle, but this can occur without affecting the lever 24 because of the articular construction of the connection tween said lever 24 and the diaphragm, as hereinbefore described. If the throttle of the motor be opened further, the further reduction of pressure produced thereby in the chamber 14 will flex the diaphragm 11 to the right in Fig. 2 against the pressure of the spring 40, thereby actuating the lever 24 so as to open the valve 20. It will now be seen from the foregoing that among the advantages secured by the invention are the following:

1. The gas pressure is entirely shut off until a pressure of as low as 1/100 to 1/10 Inch of water dccurs in the chamber 14 of the case, whereupon one of the valves will open to supply gas for idling of the motor 2. As soon as the throttle is opened to any appreciable degree, the pressure in the chamber 14 decreases to an extent that causes the other valve to open, permitting passage through the engine of a greater volume of gas than it would-be possible to supply through the orifice controlled by the first-mentioned valve.

If desired, the seats 17, 18 may be made detachable from the case, as clearly shown in the drawing, so that said seats can be Withdrawn without otherwise dismantling the assembly.

The invention is useful, for example, as a portion of the system disclosed 'in copending application, filed November 8th, 1930,

Serial No. 494,328 in the names of D. E. Day and G. L. Holzapfel. When thus employed the outlet 44 supplies gas to the nozzle orifice or orifices and, since the air speed in the bore of the carbureter may be so low, when the engine is being started or'is idling, that gas is not quickly drawn from the nozzle orifices, it is desirable to suppl the carbureter,

above the throttle valve, wit a small volume of gas drawn through a comparatively small tube from the chamber 14 and, accordingly, a secondary outlet 47 is shown in the case section 8 for this purpose, but it is to be understood that said secondary outlet may be omitted if it is not wanted.

The case section or body 8 is preferably constructed so as to facilitate removal of the seats 17 18 without disturbing the valve operating mechanism and so as to facilitate removal of the entire valve operating mechanism exclusive of the diaphragm, without disturbing the diaphragmand, accordingly,

- the case section or body 8 is formed of a main part 48 provided'with an opening 49, a'hollow member 50 which carries the lug 251 and the plugs 26, and a member 51 in which is the chamber 13 and into which is screwed the valve seats 17, 18. The members 50, 51 are held assembled with the part 48 by screws remove all of the working parts but the dia-.

phragm, the screws'31 will be removed from .the links 32, screws 52 will be removed and then both members 50, 51 lifted off, thus taking with them the valve seats, valves, and

levers 23, 24. I claim 1. A pressure reducing valve comprising a case, a diaphragm in the case exposed on one side to atmospheric pressure, the case being provided on the other side of the diaphragm with inlet orifices of different diameters and an outlet, valve means for controllin each of the inlet orifices, and means opera ly connecting the valve means with different por-.

tions of the Y diaphragm, said connecting means being constructed to permit of flexure of said portions independently of each other.

2. A pressure reducing valve comprising a case, a diaphragm in the case exposed on one .side to atmospheric pressure, the case being provided on the other side of the diaphragm with inlet orifices of different diameters and an outlet, levers pivotally mounted in the case, valves controlling the orifices and oper:

ably connected'with the levers, means operably connecting the levers with different portions of the diaphragm, springs urging the levers in a direction to close the valves the spring associated with the valve controlling the orifice of smaller diameter being of less strength than the other spring, and the connecting means being constructed to permit of flexure of said diaphragm portions independently of each other.

3. A pressure reducing valve comprising a case, a diaphragm 1n the case exposed on one side to atmospheric pressure, the case beingprovided on the other side of the diaphragm with inlet orifices of different diameters and an outlet, levers pivotally mounted in the case,

valves controlling the orifices and operably connected with the lovers, springs urging the levers in a direction to close the valves, the spring associated with the valve controlling theorifice of smaller diameter being of less strength than the other spring, links pivotally connected with different portions of the diaphragm, and means loosely connecting the links with the levers.

4. A pressure reducing valve comprising a case body, a cover for the body, a diaphragm in the'case body exposed on one side to at- 'mospheric pressure, the case body provided on theother side of the diaphragm with an opening, a hollew member mounted on the case body over said opening, a closure. plate having a passage therein mounted on the hollow member, means for'connecting a gas supply line to saidpassage from the outside of said plate-an orifice valve seat screwed into the late from the inside and communicating with said passage and projecting into the hollow member,and valve means carried by the hollow member and controlling :the orifice in thevalve seat and operably connected through the opening with the diaphragm, said valve seat facing toward said open ng in the case body whereby said plate and seat may be disassembled from said hollow member and from said valve means by the single act of removing said late.

- Signed at Los Angeles, Cahfornia, this 14th day of October, 1930. t GEORGE L. HOLZAPFEL. 

